Power-transmitting device.



PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906.

T. L. & T. J. STURTEVANT. POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

APPLIOA'I'ION FILED FEB. 23. 1906.

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NITED .IsTATEs PATENT Prion.

THOMAS LEGGETT STURTEVANT, OF QUINCY, AND THOMAS JOSEPH STURTEVANT, OF WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS.

POWER-TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 21, 1906.

Application filed February 23, 1906. Serial No. 302,532.

vented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Power-Transmitting Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accom anying drawings.

T 's invention relates to automatic clutch devices which are ada ted for use in connection with motor-vehic es, but which may also be used in connection with other kinds of machines in the running of which it may sometimes be desirable to ermit a power-transmi-tting or driven shaft to overrun in speed the power-driving shaft.

To ,this end the invention comprises an automatic clutch device which is con led to or 1 connected with the axle or shaft to e driven in such a manner as to permit, under certain conditions, the driven axle or shaft to overrun in speed the power-shaftfrom which itnormally derives its motion.

The preferred embodiment of the invention corn rises a centrifugally-cont'rolled multiple-dlsk clutch device which is housed within a fly-wheel and which is coupled to.

the axle or shaft to be driven through a ratchet or grip device in such a manner that power may be transmitted from the drivingshaft to the axle .or shaft to be driven when there is any drag orweight on the driven axle or shaft; but should the latter attain a speed in excess of the speed of the driving or power shaft, either by momentum or gravity, as in a case where a motor-vehicle is coasting downhill, the ratchet or p coupling connection between the norma 1y driven axle or shaft and the driving or power shaft will permit the normally driven axle or shaft to overrun the speed of the drivingor power shaft. Also in case the engine or motor should slow down to a speed lowerthan that to which it may be desirable immediately to reduce the speed of the driven axle or shaft the latter will continue to run by momentum or otherwise until the speed of the normally driven axle or shaft is reduced to that of the driving or power shaft or of a driven part connected therewith.

' V In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diametrical sectional view of a multipledisk automatic'clutch device embodying the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same on line 2 2, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 12 denotes a power-shaft, which may be the main shaft of a motor or engine or of a shaft connected therewith, said shaft 12 being provided with a head or flange 13, bolted to a hollow fly- .wheel, or casing 14, within which are inclosed a series of clutch rings or disks 15, rigidly fixed relative to said flywheel or casing by means of bolts 16, and a second series of clutch rings or disks 17 ,having at their inner edges notched engagement with a ring 18.

Keyed to the driven or power-transmitting axle or shaft 19 is a hub 20, suitably recessed I for the reception of a series of spring-pressed grip-rollers 21, by which the ring 18 is normally coupled the axle or shaft 19.. Pivotally mounted in brackets 22, suitably secured within the flywheel 14, are weighted centrifugal levers 23, having short right-angular arms 24, adapted to press against a master-plate 25 to force the same laterally a ainst the stress of springs 26, which norma ly prevent the said mastert0 the said hub 20, keyed to plate from forcing the clutch-disks 15 and 17 into frictional clutch engagement with each other; but when the speed of the fly-wheel is sufficient to cause the weighted centrifugal arms 23 to be forced outward, in opposition to the stress of said springs, the said masterplate will be moved inward by the short arms 24 of the said centrifugal lever, and thus force the clutch-disks into frictional clutching engagement with each other, so that the rotary motion of the said fly-wheel 14, derived from the power-shaft 12, will be imparted to the driven shaft or axle through the hub 20, the grip-rollers 21, and the ring 18, with which the clutch-disks 17 are in notched engagement.

It is desirable that the clutch-disks run in oil, so as to avoid wear and heating, as there is more or less slip between the said clutchdisks when they are being forced into fric tional clutching engagement with each other fectedfthereby: avoiding any sudden jerks or strainsfi To this end, therefore, the flythe stuffing-box or gland revolve together wheel or casing 14 is preferably made oil-- but when the shaft or axle 19 overruns the fiy-wheel 14 the said shaft or axle will turn in the said packing-box and in the bearings aflorded by the sleeves and 31 within the hub 28.

The stress of the springs 26 may be regulated or varied by means of screws 32 bearing against disks or washers 33, against which the outer ends of the springs 26 abut, so that by turning the said screws in or out the stress of the said springs may be increased 01' diminished, and when any desired adjustment has been effected the said disks will be locked in place by set-nuts 34.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the clutch disks or rings of the'multi le-disk clutch device, and forming part of t e coupling means between the power-shaft 12 and the driven shaft or axle 19, will be forced into frictional clutch en agement with each other at any such desired speed of, rotation of the fly-wheel 14 as may be predetermined by the adjustment of the stress of. the springs 26, and when the friction-disks are thus in clutching engagement with each other power will be transmitted to the driven shaft or axle 19 from the driving or power shaft 12, rigid with the said fly-wheel. If, however, at any time the speed of rotation of the driven axle or shaft 19 should exceed the' speed of rotation of the fiy-wheel 14, the silent ratchet or grip device afforded by the coupling grip-rollers 21 will let go, and the coupling connection being thus broken the shaft or axle 19 will at all such times be free to overrun the fly-wheel and the power-shaft which drives said fly-wheel. Thus if the invention be embodied in a motor-vehicle the said vehicle need not necessarily be slowed down by reason of the sudden slowing down of the engine or motor, or in coasting downhill it will not be necessary to disconnect or stop the motor, as is now usually the case when it is desired to coast at speed greater than the speed which would be equal to the driving seed of the motor.

when the road resistance lowers the Thus coasting maybe eely indulgedin without payin any particular attention to the motor, and coasting speed, so that the speed of rotation'of the shaft or .axle 19 is decreased to the running speed of the power-shaft or fly-wheel, the

multiple-disk clutch device will gradually I rotary shaft or axle to be driven therefrom,

and centrifu ally-controlled coupling means between said power-shaft and said driven shaft or axle, said coupling means comprising a ratchet or grip device constructed and arranged to permit the said driven shaft or axle to overrun'or turn faster than it is driven by the said power-shaft, and a fly-wheel rotating with said driving-shaft and within which said coupling means, are inclosed, said flywheel bein provided with bearings for said driven sha t or axle so that the latter may turn in said bearings when overrunning said driving-shaft.

2. In a power-transmitting mechanism, the combination with a-power-shaft, of a rotary shaft or axle to be driven therefrom, centrifugally-controlled coupling means between said power-shaft and said driven shaft or ax'le, said coupling means comprising a ratchet or grip device constructed and arranged to permit the said driven shaft or-axle to overrun or turn faster than it is driven by the said power-shaft, and a fly-wheel within which said coupling means are inclos'ed.

3. In a power-transmitting mechanism,

the combination with a power-shaft, of ashaft or axle to be driven therefrom, a centrifugal clutch device and a ratchet or grip device between said power-shaft and said driven shaft or axle, said ratchet or grip device beingconstructed and arranged to permit the said driven shaft or axle to overrun or turn faster than it is driven by said powershaft, and a fly-wheel within which said automatic clutch device are inclosed.

4. In a power-transmitting mechanism,

and said grip device the combination with a power-shaft, of a I shaft or axle to be driven therefrom, a cen trifugal clutch device and a ratchet or grip device between said power-shaft and said driven shaft or axle, said ratchet or grip device being constructed and arranged to permit the said. driven shaft or axle to overrun or turn faster than it is driven by said powershaft, and an oil-tight casing within which said automatic clutch device and said grip device are inclosed.

5. In a power-transmitting mechanism,

the combination with a power-shaft, of a shaft or axle to be driven therefrom, amentrifugal clutch device and a ratchet or gri device between said power-shaft and sai driven shaft or axle, said ratchet or grip device being constructed and arranged to permit the said driven shaft or axle to overrun from,

gally-controlled clutch device also within.

.the combination with a or turn faster than it is driven by said powershaft, and a fly-wheel within which said automatic clutch device and said grip device are inclosed, said fly-wheel being provided with a stuffing-box to render it oil-tight and with a bearing in which said driven shaft or axle can turn, independently of said fly-wheel, when it overruns the said fly-wheel and powershaft.

6. In a power-transmitting mechanism, the combination with a power driven flywheel and a shaft or axle to be driven there from and journaled therein, of a centrifugallycontrolled clutch device within said fly-wheel and a silent ratchet or grip device also within said fly-wheel and which connects said clutch device with the said driven shaft or axle and which is constructed and arranged to permit the latter to overrunor turn independently of said fly-wheel.

7. In a power-transmitting mechanism, the combination with a power-driven flywheel and a shaft or axle to be driven there and journaled therein of a centrifusaid fly-wheel and which connects said clutch devlce w1th the said driven shaft or axle, and whlch 1s constructed and arranged to permit 7 the latter to overrun or turn independently of said fiy-wheel, said fly-wheel being oiltlght, so that said centrifugally-controlled clutch device may run in oil without wastage of the latter.

8-. In a power-transmitting mechanism, the combination with a wheel and a shaft or axle to be driven therefrom and journaled therein, of a centrifugally-controlled, clutch device within said fly-wheel, and a silent ratchet or grip device also within said fly-wheel and which connects said\clutch device with the said driven shaft or axle, and which is constructed and arranged to permit the latter to overrun or turn independently of said fly-wheel, said flywheel being rovided with a stuffing-box, to render it oi -tight, and vwith a bearing in which said driven shaft or axle can-turn independently of said fly-wheel, when it overruns the said fly-wheel and power-shaft.

9. In a power-transmitting mechanism, the combination with a power-driven flywheel and a shaft or axle to be driven therefrom and journaled therein, of a centrifugally-controlled, multiple-disk clutch device within said fly-wheel, and a silent ratchet or grlp device also within said fly-wheel and which connects said clutch device with the sald driven shaft or axle, and which is constructed and arranged to permit the latter to overrun or turn independently of said flywheel.

10. ha power-transmitting mechanism, power-driven wheel and a shaft or axle to'be driven therefrom and journaled therein, ofa centrifu- 18, also within said power driven flyvice are en aged wit gally-controlled, multipledisk, clutch device within said fly-wheel, and a silent ratchet or grip device also within said fly-wheel and which connects said clutch device with the said driven shaft or axle, and which is constructed and arranged to permit the latter to overrun or turn independently of said flywheel, said fly-wheel being oil-tight, so that said centrifugallycontrolled clutch device may run in oil without wastage of the latter. 11. In a power-transmitting mechanism,

the combination with a power-driven flywheel and a shaft or axle to be driven therefrom and journaled therein, of a centrifugally-contrOlled, multiple-disk, clutch device a silentv ratchet or.

within said fly-wheel, and grip device also within said fly-wheel and which connects said clutch device with the said driven shaft or axle and which is constructed and arranged to permit the latter to overrun or turn independently of said flywheel, said fly-wheel being provided with a stuffing-box, to render it oil-tight, and with a bearing in which said driven shaft or axle can turn, independently of said fly-wheel, when it overruns the said fly-wheel and power-shaft.

12. In a power-transmitting mechanism, the combination with thepower-driven flywheel 14, of the shaft or axle 19 journaled in said fly-wheel, the hub 20 within said flywheel and having peripheral recesses, springpressed grip-rollers in said recesses, the ring fly-wheel, to be engaged and an automatic clutch by said grip-rollers,

fly-wheel, and by device, also within said which the said fly-wheel may be operatively connected with said ring.

13.111 a power-transmitting mechanism, the combination with the ower-driven flywheel, 14, of the shaft or ax e 19 journaled in said fly-wheel, the hub 20 within said flywheel and having peripheral recesses, springpressed grip-rollers in said'recesses, the ring 18, also within said fly-wheel, to be engaged by said grip-rollers and a centrifugally-controlled, multiple-disk, clutoh device, also within said fly-wheel, and 'by which the said fly-wheel may be operatively connected with said ring.

14. In a. power-transmitt the combination with fly-wheel connected with said shaft to rotate therewith, a power transmitting or driven shaft journaled within said fly-wheel and adapted to rotate independent y thereof, a

g mechanism,

IIO

a drivmg-shaft, of a centrifugally-controlled clutch device within 1 driven shaft to overrun inspeed the saidv driving-shaft and fly-wheel. I

xo ed with said power transmitting '15. In a power-transmitting mchanism, the combination with a driving-shaft, of a fly-wheel connected with said shaft to rotate therewith, a power transmitting or driven 5 shaft journalcd Within said fly-Wheel and adapted to rotate independently thereof, a centrifugally-controlled clutch device Within said fly-wheel, and a roller-grip device by which the said clutch device may be connector driven .shafit when the clutching parts of said clutch device are engaged with each other, but which roller-grip device is constructed and arranged to permit the said power transmitting or driven shaft to overrun in-speed the said driving-shaft and fly-wheel, said flywheel being tightly inclosed so as to be adapted to contain and hold, without waste, alubricant for the running parts housed within the said fly-wheel;

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses. v

THOMAS LEGGETT STURTEVANT. THOMAS JOSEPH STUR IEVANT.

Witnesses:

W. F. ELLIs, L. H. STURTEVANT. 

